The Wild Unknown 2011 Calendars

Just a quick note to let you know that my absolute favorite purveyor of calendars, The Wild Unknown, has released their 2011 collection, including the really cool one above, lyrics. Free shipping is available through Sunday!

Inspiration 10.27

Today is my last full day in London, and while I can't wait to get back to DC, I'm definitely a bit sad to leave all of my new friends behind...not to mention the amazing shopping.

The weather has been appropriately gloomy for my final week, and I'm longing for a little jolt of happy color.

Enter this cute little kitchen styled by Londoner Selina Lake. A little hot pink and shimmer is exactly what I need right now, and I also love how accessible this is. No fancy cabinets or appliances here, just a few simple tweaks that could make any standard issue condo kitchen feel like home.

Inspiration 10.26 (Emma Cassi Styling)

As promised, here is a little peek into some of the styling work Emma Cassi has done (many of the photos are actually from her own home). Per usual, everything has that distinctive British style -- clean, homey and warm (even with all of the white).

I seriously think they pump something into the water here...

Emma Cassi: The Jewelry

Okay, kids, it sharing time again! Another one of my favorite London discoveries is the multi-talented Emma Cassi -- blogger extraordinaire, maker of exceptionally beautiful jewelry and brilliant stylist.

I'll have more on her styling later, but first -- the jewelry. Intricate, beaded pieces with an ethereal, lacey quality, they are some of the prettiest pieces I've seen...well, ever. They will certainly be making appearance on my Christmas wish list. Shop here.

Scenes from Icelandic Wedding

Cold-weather weddings seem to get no love, (unless it happens to be snowing), but this Icelandic wedding proves just how stunning an autumn/winter wedding can be. Although it helps to be in Iceland.

Discovered on Frolic! via Ruffled

Love: Stuart Gardiner Tea Towels

I have discovered so many amazing product lines since I've been over here in the UK, and can't wait to fill you in over the coming weeks. One line that especially caught my eye, were these awesome --and educational-- tea towels from Stuart Gardiner. The seasonal food calendars are especially clever.

Wondering why I would consider the 'drop scones, not bombs' towel, educational? WELL, apparently:

"Drop Scones are a type of small pancake originating from the north. ‘Scone’ is pronounced as per ‘gone’ and not as in ‘cone’. Say it that way and you're quite wrong."

See? You learn something new everyday.

Inspiration 10.21

Loving the English feel of these kitchens, not to mention the amazing task lighting. Perfect place for a "cuppa" on cool October mornings, right?

Images from City Sage and Granny Smith Green

Scooter Chic

Aren't these shots from The Sartorialist the ultimate in cuteness? Well, actually, I think his relationship with the adorable Garance is probably the ultimate in cuteness, but this comes pretty darn close.

I've wanted to rock an outfit like this since I first saw these photos a few weeks ago, but I think I missed my window! It was 85 degrees when I left Washington and now its in the 40s here in London. Sigh.

10 things...

Just a reminder to go and stop by the lovely blog Sacramento Street to check out the 10 Things that Make me Happy...

Honestly, just taking the time to think about the simple pleasures in life gave me such a lift. If you're ever feeling down, it's such an amazing exercise.

And while we're sharing, go ahead and name a few of the things that make you happy in the comments. I'm always looking for new things to explore!

(Photo: Kari Herer)

Spotted..

1. Extra-long Beeswax Birthday Candles (Prismera Design) 2. Wolf print (Anna Emilia) 3. Blue Stripe Wool Throw (Terrain) 4. Cable-Knit Wrap Cardigan (American Eagle) 5. Winter Cluster Print (The Wild Unknown)

Inspiration 10.19

Love these two very different takes on unfinished wood staircases...

(Images from Remodelista and Sebastien Siraudeau)

Scenes from Sunday

Ed Note: When you're done here, be sure to check out the 10 Things that Make me Happy over at Sacramento Street!

Hello from London, week two! I can’t believe how fast time has passed, and I’m drowning in pictures and cool products and artists I want to share. I thought I would start by sharing a few snippets from my Sunday.

I kicked off the day by grabbing a little brunch with the talented and lovely designer Heather Jenkinson at Albion, in hipster-y Shoreditch.

We both loved the modern English country kitchen feel, the gorgeous task and pendant lights throughout and the comforting sense of abundance you get from rows and rows of uniformly chic jellies and jams that line the front of the café. The food and the service...not so much love there.

Fortunately, the conversation more than made up for it, and we made a quick stop into Caravan around the corner. At Caravan, you get the feeling that you’re raiding your grandma’s attic for treasures…and your grandma is really, really cool. Vintage glassware, quirky ephemera, Jielde lamps, Deborah Bowness wallpapers and these fantastic silver roses that I’ve never seen anywhere else before.


Afterward, I set out with every intention to go to the Tate Modern, but was foiled by the heinous weekend public transportation and my complete lack of any sense of direction. Human compass I am not. Fortunately, my failed attempt to get to the museum took me on one of those fun and random wanders where you end up seeing important landmarks you hadn’t actually intended to, and come across unexpected surprises. One of my favorite discoveries was the Christ Church Greyfriars’ garden, built on top of the ruins where part of the church was destroyed in World War II.

So those are the highlights! As much fun as I’m having, I do miss DC a ton. What did you guys do this weekend?

Inspiration 10.15

Some very cozy interiors shot by UK photographer Jan Baldwin...

Inspiration 10.13

Next up, in my haphazard tour of my favorite (favourite!) British stylists and photographers is Lesley Dilcock, a founding member of Marie Claire UK, and fantastic interior stylist. I love Lesley’s chic-industrial loft aesthetic, and her particularly English knack for making even the most basic elements of home look inviting.

Inspiration 10.12

Going to try to feature as much British design talent as I can in the next few weeks. New discovery, Emma Lee Photography, certainly fits the bill.

London Blogging

Sooo, that fun news I was planning on sharing with you all is that...I’m in London for three weeks! I arrived around 6am Sunday morning, checked into my hotel, slept for a few hours, and then revived myself with a shopping trip. I checked out the London Anthro – which has a three-story living wall, and had a life-changing shopping experience at Liberty. Seriously, it was revelatory.

Anthropologie Regent Street's living wall.

The Scarf Room at Liberty

I’ll be doing my very, blogger best to keep you all updated on my little adventure, but I’ll have to ask you to bear with me if posting is (even) slower than usual. I’m here for work, which has a tendency of cutting into my blogging time J, and I’m unable to get Internet access from my hotel room – which means a great deal of my blogging will be done from the hotel business center – glamorous, I know.

Since I trust no one’s taste more than all of yours, please go ahead and tell me what to do in the comments!

Top photo from Twig Hutchinson

Inspiration 10.8

Gorgeous wallpaper and color. I think it would be impossible to look bad in the bathroom mirror. P.S. Fun announcement coming soon!

via Emma Lee Photography

Inspiration 10.6

Via Tea for Joy

Inspiration 10.4 (There's a Chill in the Air)

Images from the portfolio of the tremendously talented Twig Hutchinson